Page 123 of Ony If It's You
“Facts, I’d definitely smile in my mugshot behind my niece,” Miles cosigned.
“All we need to do is file a motion and affidavit saying that he was protecting you, anything that you can recollect from the incident that night, and make sure that there is a plea in there your father to be released.”
“Okay.” I nodded anxiously. “I’ll do it. You have something for me to write on and stuff?”
“We do.” He slid a legal pad and pen in my direction. “I’m going to have you write it out then I’ll have my secretary type it up and you sign it.”
I nodded and spent the next thirty to forty five minutes writing up my statement and plea for my father. I’d do anything if that meant that he would be coming home soon. Once I was done, Miles walked it out to the secretary so I turned to Bryce.
“So what happens next?”
“Well next we file the motion and it sits with the judge. He or she can either rule on the motion without a hearing or they may ask that we come to court. Either way I’ll keep you posted.”
“Oh.” I looked down at my hands, a little nervous and disappointed. “Okay.”
“Hey.” He touched one of my hands. “I’ve done this before; more times than I can remember, so don’t worry. Also, I’velooked into your pops. He’s a model prisoner. He’s never been in any trouble in there and he has done more than a little bit of self-rehab stuff in there. I’m pretty sure considering all of that, the amount of time he’s served, and with your statement we should be able to get this done without a trial.”
His words did comfort me a little, so I relaxed. Worrying wasn’t going to do anything to help the situation, so all I could do was pray on it and put it in God’s hands.
“Oh, question… how long is the statute of limitation for murder?” I asked and both him and Ms. Cheryl looked at me like I was crazy.
“Uh, well, h-here in Crescent Falls, it’s twenty-five years.”
“Okay.” I nodded and picked up my pen.
“Lani, is there something you need to tell us?” Bryce quizzed. “Because we can’t help or protect you and JV if we don’t know.”
“Nope, just asking.” I could tell that he wanted to probe further but decided against it.
After signing the necessary documents, I stood, hugged Ms. Cheryl, shook hands with the brothers, and thanked them repeatedly, then headed out.
“Oh, Lani,” Bryce stopped me. “Tell JV that he’s clear from that fiasco with ol’ girl.”
Thank God!
I didn’t probe because I was sure that JV would call and get all of the details on his own. I was just glad we could put it behind us.
When I made it out to my car, I found Celeste standing there.
“Celeste, what the hell?” I said and laughed when I was closer.
“What the hell is right, bitch! Why would you just text me that you’re at a lawyer’s office then turn your phone off?” she fired back. “What are you even doing here? I’ll fuck JV’s ass up.”
“Girl would you relax?” I laughed. “JV didn’t do anything, I had to see the about my dad.”
“Your dad?” Her facial expression softened. “Is everything okay?”
“I hope.” I shrugged. “JV had them look into getting him out. They needed me to come write and sign some stuff.”
“Friend, that’s lit! Is he going to for sure come home?”
“He couldn’t say, but he is confident that there’s a strong possibility.”
“I love this for you, friend!” she shrieked, pulling me into a hug.
“How did you get here?” I asked, looking behind her. I didn’t see her car.
“Uber.” She grinned as she circled my car to the passenger side. “Hurry and get me home, bestie, my man is waiting for me.”
